Sectional scaffold



Patented July 7, 1942 UNl mais

SECTIONAL SCAFFOLD Lawrence C. Oertle, Milwaukee, llVis.,l assignor to The Salway Steel Scaffolds Co. of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 1, 1940, Serial No. 355,719

2 Claims.

sembled, will have all the rigidity and versatility of the end frame shown in the former patent and will, in fact, be interchangeable .therewith but which, in addition, will be made of identical ksections readily assembled and disassembled and adapted to be connected at different `spacings from each other whereby the improved end frame may have any desired width.

More specically, it is a further object of the invention to provide an end frame constituting readily assembled and disassembled identical sections each of which has a width which is only a fraction of the total width of a standard end frame of the type shown in Paten'u 2,043,493 and each of which includes its own bracing arranged for unitary handling so that the sections may be introduced through openings wholly iliadequate to receive the standard end frame and may there be re-assembled as end frames ofA standard width, or a width greater or less than standard, as may be desired.

In the drawing: i

Fig. 1 is a view in'front elevation of an assembled end frame embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail view in front elevation of a coupling element alternatively adapted for use in the end frame of Fig. l in place of the coupling elements there shown.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale showing partially in elevation and partially in section a fragment of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

It will be understood that the single end frame illustrated in Fig. 1 is intended to represent an end frame of standard height and width adapted to be assembled with other like end frames in cells and extended longitudinally or vertically by the additional cells in the manner taught in Patent 2,043,498. The tubular posts 4 and 5 are therefore open at their top and bottom ends to receive coupling pins for the connection of the end frame to like end frames in adjacent tiers in a scaffolding structure.

lengths of tubular bar stock 6 and l are welded to the respective posts to project laterally therefrom toward each other and at the same level. At a lower level each post 4 and 5 is provided with another laterally projecting arm of tubular bar stock, the arms being designated by reference characters 8 and 9 respectively. Extending obliquely from a point near the'base of the tubular arm 8 to a point near the outer end of the tubular arm B is a brace member I0, preferably welded tokboth arms. Similarly disposed and welded with reference to arms 9 and l isa brace member II. At like elevations the respective posts 4 and 5 have threaded studs I2 and I3 adapted to receive crossbracing between end frames (the cross bracing not being illustrated). The several arms 6, l, 8, 9, are preferably' of uniform length. Each arm, near its extreme other end, is provided with an aperture at I4, preferably located on the under side of the arm to exclude water. About the aperture an ordinary nut I5 is Welded to the arm as a convenient means of providing threads in which the set screws I6 are adjustable through the apertures Coupling elements are interchangeable in the open ends of the tubular arms B, l, and 9. Where it is desired that the posts 4 and 5 be in close proximity, to narrowl the overall width of the resulting end frame, a very short coupling element such as that shown in Fig. 2 may be employed. This coupling element is similar to those used in superposing one end` frame upon another. It comprises a short pin Il having a spacing collar I8 fixed midway between its ends to limit the extent to which the respective ends are receivable into the openings at the endsof the respective arms. To secure the posts 4 and 5 to each other in a spacing such as to make a standard sized end frame as illustrated in Fig. 1, longer coupling elements are used comprising tubular pins Ill) and sleeves intermediate the ends of said pin.

To assemble the device the respective pins are inserted into the open ends of opposite arms to a depth suilcient so that the intervening collar or sleeve I8 or |80 abuts the ends of the arms. Thereupon the set screws I6, threaded into nuts I5 of the respective arms, are tightened by using an appropriate socket wrench. The telescopic engagement of the respective pins in the respectivearms and the bracing provided by the end frame sections, is such that when the several set screws have been tightened the resulting end frame is entirely rigid and may be handled unitarily like the end trames of said Patent 2,043,498 and may be assembled therewith ii desired.

However, in instances where it is desired to erect scaiiolding in places to which `access is diiiicult,orwherespecialsisesoiendtrames are needed, the component identical sections constituting the improved end irame of the present invention may readily be separated by releasing the set screws Il and withdrawingthepins. The remaining sections each comprising a post, a pair oi vertically spaced laterally projecting arms andadiagonslbrace,aresolimitedin sizoas to beadaptedtopasatbroughaverysmallopening. For example, the component sections may be introduced through a iiue or clean-out door into a chimney and may there be reassembled to provide end trames of standard width or width less than or greater than standard, according to the length ot coupling elements employed. Similarly, the scaiiold may be introduced in section intotheholdotashiporanyotherplaces sectionseachcarrybracingwhich,inthcassem bled end trame, is productive ot a very rigid structure.

It is recognised that the invention may be embodied in frames other than that here disclosed. and it is not desired to limit the scope ot the invention to the speelde embodiment disclosed except as speciiically stated in the appended claims. s

The claims are:

1. An end trame `comprising two laterally spaced upright posts having horizontal tubular arms projecting toward each other at dinerent l levels, bracing extending to at least one of said dimcult to access and re-assembled to meet the conditions there encountered.

Since the sections above described are identical sections, the device is readily adapted for manufacture by production methods. Any two identical sections may be united by any two identical couplings to produce the desired size arms, set screws in threaded connection with the respective arms, coupling elements including pins telescopically nested in the ends of the opposite arms of said posts, and spacing means positioned on said pins between the arms, said set screws being engaged with said pins.

2. A scaiiold end irame comprising a pair of identical sections each including a tubular post. arm means projecting laterally from the post, and means bracing said arm means, together with at least one coupling element providing a connection between said sections. said coupling element including coupling means telescopically related to the arm means oi the respective sections, and spacing means against which said arm means abut, together with means for connecting said coupling means to the respective arm means whereby unitarily to assemble said sections.

LAWRENCE C. OERTLE. 

